Thoughts on religion, spirituality, and life by a lay Episcopanglican

Pentecost has always been one of my favorite church holidays. Perhaps it’s the time in the church year when I was baptized and confirmed. Perhaps it’s because I have a a deep admiration and respect for the Holy Spirit. Perhaps it’s hymns like Bianco da Siena’s majestic “Come Down, O Love Divine” set to Ralph… Read More Come Down, O Love Divine

Today the Episcopal Church remembers the life of Richard of Chichester, a medieval English bishop most known for the following prayer: Dear Lord, of thee three things I pray: To see thee more clearly, Love thee more dearly, Follow thee more nearly. This is one of my favorite prayers, and one of my favorite musical… Read More Day by Day

Candlemas, or the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple, has always been one of my favorite “Lesser Feasts” in the Church Year. In addition to blessing the candles used in the upcoming year, we celebrate the wider message of Christianity “enlightening” the world with its light and warmth. The Nunc Dimittis, or Canticle of… Read More A Prayer for Candlemas

Instead of the appointed psalm of the day, we used the Song of Zechariah during the service at St. John’s Episcopal Church today. This canticle is used quite a bit in Morning Prayer, and has become one of my favorite. During lunch, Michael and I had a discussion on how much we liked the Lukan… Read More The Song of Zechariah

Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now… Read More Prepare the Way

Loving God, You provide comfort and hope to those who suffer. Be present with all HIV positive persons and their families in this and every land, that they may be strengthened in their search for health, wholeness and abundant living, through Christ our Companion. Amen. A Collect for World AIDS Day provided by the National… Read More That They May Be Strengthened

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to… Read More The Armor of Light